Can you imagine anything better than when you buy a new outfit or sit down for a delicious meal at a restaurant? Imagine it being free! This is what many mystery shoppers enjoy on a semi-regular basis.
Mystery shopping is not a side hustle that is going to make you rich, but it’s great for getting free products and meals! These secret shoppers go undercover at various stores and restaurants under the guise of a normal customer. At the end of the trip, they will fill out a questionnaire that asks them questions about their experience.
There are a few different ways you can expect to get paid through mystery shopping. The options are:
- Cash and reimbursement. With this option, you will get reimbursed for the product and service as well as get paid cash to complete the task.
- Cash. This usually happens if you don’t go into a store or restaurant, such as a phone call.
- Reimbursement. This typically happens at restaurants where you will simply be reimbursed for your meal.
Depending on who you work through for mystery shopping, you can receive your payments through direct deposit, PayPal, check, or gift card. Keep in mind that you will not be paid upfront, so you will need to complete the task before receiving payment or reimbursement.
Various mystery shopping websites exist that you can apply to. Not all are created equal, though! You will need to do research to be sure that the positions you are applying to will actually pay you for your time and efforts.
Step one: Research different companies. This is the crucial first step before you begin mystery shopping. There are hundreds of websites that exist that claim that you can do lucrative mystery shopping, but many of them are scams. Here is a list of some reputable mystery shopping websites.
Step two: Apply to open positions. Websites will usually list the positions they have available. It will give the type of job and the compensation expectations. Whenever you see an opportunity that piques your interest, you can throw in an application!
Step three: Keep track of all your expenses. Monitoring what you spend as a secret shopper is a good idea to be sure you aren’t overspending. You can keep an excel sheet that will state what you bought, when you were reimbursed, and if you received additional cash. This will help make sure you are being paid for your services and that you don’t miss any payments. Here is an example of a spreadsheet:
Step four: Complete your task. Once you have been accepted for a task, you can go ahead and get to work! Head off to the store or restaurant, or make that call, and be sure to keep detailed notes of the transaction. Some of the most important qualities that you should have as a mystery shopper is punctuality, reliability, honesty, and an attention to detail. Be sure to incorporate these qualities in all of your jobs and you will be offered plenty of positions!
Tips
A helpful tip when working as a mystery shopper is to be detail oriented. These companies want people who can answer their questions in depth. The more information you can give them, the more likely you are to get approved for more opportunities!
Also, there’s no competitor clause as an independent contractor. So feel free to apply to multiple mystery shopper positions- as long as they are credible!
Lastly, if the place that your company wants you to visit is a little bit of a distance or requires you to pay to park, don’t be afraid to ask them to cover these expenses!